Sandwich assembly and packaging machine



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BY by ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 21,1958 III.

RUDOLPH ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 21,1958 NOM INVENTOR. RUDOLPH J. FAY

ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY

szmnwrcu ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 21,1958 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH J. FAY

ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE 1e Shee ts-Sheet 10 Filed July21, 1958 wwm INVENTOR. RUDOLPH J. FAY

ATTO RNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY 2,936,557

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1958 16Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH J FAY ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed July21, 1958 INVENTOR. RUDOLPH J. FAY

ATTO RNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY 2,936,557

7 SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1958 16Sheets-Sheet 13 RU DOLPH J. FAY

AT TO R NEYS May 17, 1960 Filed July 21, 1958 R. J. FAY

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet l4 INVENTOR. 1-RUDOLPH J. FAY

2, $04M, %wf za 4 ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FA 2,936,557

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1958 16Sheets-Sheet l5 INVENTOR.

RUDOLPH J. FAY

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ATTQRNEYS May 17, 1960 R. J. FAY

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING MACHINE l6 Sheets-Sheet 16 Filed July21, 1958 INVENTOR.

J. FAY

RUDOLPH ATTO RN EYS United States Patent 2,936,557 SANDWICH ASSEMBLY ANDPACKAGING MACHINE Rudolph J. Fay, Villa Park, Ill., assignor to PetersMachinery Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationJuly 21, 1958, Serial No. 750,012

24 Claims. (Cl. 53-159) provided with projecting prongs affording cellsor pockets for the reception of the sandwiches which permits them to bearranged in groups and stacks, the chains combined with controlmechanism wherein the sandwiches being conveyed along a path of deliveryare directed into ways of passage for automatic packaging in suitablecontainers available to the consumer.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a sandwichmachine for assembling cooky sandwiches and conveying them as flatobjects in'a row, or plurality of rows, to suitable endless feederchains or conveyors where they are indexed in groups, repositioned in avertical manner and arranged into horizontal stacks, conveyed to anauxiliary conveyor, or a plurality of auxiliary conveyors which arearranged to extend at right angles to the main conveyor, removed fromthe main conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor, or conveyors, by powerdriven paddles moving transversely above the main conveyor, movedcontinuously in a side manner along the auxiliary conveyor, divided intopairs of stacks, or any suitable number of stacks, and finally conveyedonto a movable loading tray by which they are loaded pneumatically intothe suitable containers arranged therewith for disposition as desired.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of novelsynchronizing means whereby all of the moving parts are actuated intimed relation with each other in accordance to some circumstance orcondition.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for removingthe completed cooky sandwiches from the cooky sandwich assembly conveyormeans, conveying the sandwiches along as flat objects to suitable meansto index the same into groups of desired numbers, then indexing thegroups to travel in upper and lower flights of travel for stacking andagain lowering all the stacks to a common level for packaging at aplurality of stations.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means forrepositioning sandwiches while they are moving as individual flatobjects in groups on one conveyor,

' transferring them and arranging them upon a second conveyor in avertical manner with contacting sides, and forming horizontallypositioned stacks of sandwiches for traveling longitudinally thereon.

Another and more specific object of the invention is the provision ofdemountable buckets upon a continuously .running endless chain wherebythe presence or absence 2,936,557 Patented May 17, 1960 "ice of thebuckets running in a continuous manner will determine the number ofsandwiches arranged into stacks for packaging.

Other objects and advantages, more or less ancillary of the foregoingand the manner in which all the various objects are realized will appearin the following description and accompanying drawings wherein there isassembled and pointed out certain details of structure and aggroupmentof parts connotative of the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a cooky sandwich assembly andpackaging machine constructed according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the upper section of the forwardend portion of the main conveyor frame which joins the discharge end ofthe cooky assembly machine;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the central section of the mainconveyor frame taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 5 and showingthe power driving shafts in position of operation;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of main conveyor unit shown inFigures 3 and 4 with operating shafts, gears and associated parts showndotted in position of operation;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the mechanism interposedbetween the main conveyor and the auxiliary conveyors arranged at rightangles therewith, for removing the stacks of cooky sandwiches from saidmain conveyor and depositing them on the second conveyor, parts omittedfor clearness of observing parts in position of operation;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the main conveyorshowing the mechanism for repositioning flat objects into a verticalposition;

Figure 8 is a somewhat enlarged detail view of the article repositioningmeans shown in Figure 7, and with cooky sandwiches arranged therein;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the entrance end of one of theauxiliary conveyors showing rods and associated means for moving stacksof cooky sandwiches in sidewise manner, combined with means for dividingthem into pairs of stacks for dual packaging;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the auxiliaryconveyor, parts removed, showing the details of mechanism for moving thestacks of cooky sandwiches toward the packing end of the machine;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of the mechanism shown inFigure 10, some parts omitted;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the auxiliaryconveyor shown in Fig. 9, some parts omitted;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the packaging end of one of theauxiliary conveyors, showing the air cylinders and parts associatedtherewith for ejecting pairs of stacks of sandwiches into separatecontainers;

Figure 14 illustrates diagrammatically a circuit diagram of theelectrical control system employed with this machine; a

Figure 15 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic, perspective view of the camsand chains for effecting oscillation of the shaft supporting fork meansfor moving stacks of cooky sandwiches;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic, perspective view, similar toFigure 15, showing the stack straightening bridge members with clampingmeans associated therewith;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic, perspective view showing theoperating mechanism disclosed in Fig ure 12;

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic, perspective view, showing the operativemechanism disclosed in Figure 5;

seesaw Figure 19 is a diagrammatic, perspective view, showing thedriving mechanism for parts shown by Figure and Figure 20 is adiagrammatic, perspective view, showing the driving mechanism asdisclosed in Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, there is disclosed therein a cookysandwichassembling machine and. conveyors coordinating together forcounting,stacking, dividing and packaging cooky sandwiches.

Briefly the sandwich machine of this invention includes a cooky sandwichassembly machine 20, a main sandwich conveyor unit 21 adjacent saidsandwich assembly machine 20, two auxiliary sandwich conveyor units 22and 23 adjacent the exit end of the main conveyor unit, positioned andextending at right angles thereto, each of said auxiliary conveyor unitsembodying two pneumatic packaging devices, each designated by the numetal 25. The cooky sandwich assembling machine 20 includes a cremehopper 24, a depositor 26, four cookie troughs 27, a carrier chain 28 inthe right side of the machine, a second carrier chain 29 in the lefthalf thereof as shown in Figures 1 and 2; the present machine beingdesigned to simultaneously assemble two rows of sandwiches. The carrierchains 23 and 29 have suitable cooky carrying pockets and are supportedby shafts and sprockets not shown herein. Said cooky sandwich assemblingmachine is power operated by the intermediation of a timing belt 39trained around a pulley 31 keyed on the common drive shaft 32 extendingbetween the sides of the frame Work 36 and suitably journaled inbearings 33 and 34 therein for rotative movement, as shown by Figure 4.The common drive shaft 32 is shown as being driven by a motor 35, saidmotor made to be arranged in any suitable place and connected to saidshaft 32 by any satisfactory means. Located above said pair of carrierchains 28 and 29 are assembled four cooky troughs 27 for holding aquantity of cookies C; two of the troughs 27 being arranged near theinlet end of the cooky sandwich assembling machine and two of thetroughs 27 located near the outlet end of said machine. Between saidpairs of troughs 27 is located the creme depositor 26. Cookies C are fedfrom the first pair of troughs 27 upon the traveling chains andthereupon they travel beneath the creme depositor 26 including an augerfeed for depositing creme from two creme outlets to simultaneouslydeposit the creme on the cooky traveling at the same time in each of thetwo rows. The second pair of troughs 27 allows a cooky to be depositedupon the creme coated cooky, after which they are compressed together tospread out the creme located therebetween. After being compressed thetwo rows of cooky sandwiches S are moved by the two traveling chains 28and 29 to the end of the as- V sembly unit 24} for transfer to the mainconveyor unit 21 arranged and secured adjacent thereto.

The main conveyor unit 21 includes a suitable frame work 36 with sidewall 37 for enclosing the same. Said power shaft 32 is located in thelower section of the main conveyor unit 21 as is clearly shown in Figure5. A pulley 38 is keyed upon said shaft 32 adjacent said pulley 31 fortransmitting power to said rnain conveyor unit 21. A speed reducingpulley 39 is secured to a shaft 46 extending transversely of the unitand rotatable in bearings 41 and 42 supported by a frame work 36. Fordriving said shaft 49, a timing belt is provided extending around saidpulley 3% on shaft 32 and around said pulley 39 on shaft 4% for thispurpose.

The cooky sandwich assembling machine 2t and the main conveyor unit 21are driven'by the timing belts 36 and 43 on said common shaft 32 andmaintain in synchronism.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, the preferred embodiment of thecooky sandwich conveyor, counting and stacking mechanism is disclosedwherein the parts are suitably operated and driven'from the common powershaft 32. In ordertocount thesandwiches and separate them for stacking,bucket type means are rotatably mounted intermediate the side walls ofthe conveyor unit. As a means to clarify the description of the machine,as viewed from above, in Fig. 1, the left side is marked LS. while theright side of the machine ising said shaft 45, a chain is providedextending around sprocket 44 and around sprocket 48 for this purpose. Ashaft 50 is arranged transversely of the conveyor unit, the ends thereofslidably mounted in angularly arranged slot 58 provided in the side wall37 with suitable locking means. Intermediate the ends of said shaft 50are mounted thereon a pair of sprockets 51 and 52 spaced a suitabledistance apart. An idler shaft 53 is located below and between saidshafts 40 and 45, and arranged with a pair of idler sprockets such assprocket 54 thereon, as shown by Figure 5. A pair of sprockets 56 and 57are mounted upon shaft 45 and spaced transversely in line with sprockets51, 52, and 54 associated therewith, each pair of sprockets equallyspaced apart. A pair of endless bucket type chains 60 and 61 areprovided with cross bar 62 -therebetween, the chains extending over saidsprockets 51, 52, 54, 56 and 57. By adjusting the location of the end ofshaft 50 within said slot 58 the endless bucket chains 60 and 61 can bemaintained under desired tension. Said endless chains 6% and 61 haveelevating buckets 63 spaced in pairs upon said rod 62, said rods beingmountably secured with and between said endless chains as desired. Thebuckets are continuously arranged, and/ or removed, for counting thesandwiches traveling along sandwich troughs 64 and 65 shown by Figures 3and 5.

The troughs 64 and 65 are constructed of pairs of angle irons suitablypositioned adjacent each other with desired space therebetween. Formoving sandwiches longitudinally within said troughs 64 and 65, movableflight chains 68 and 69'with depending pins 76 thereon are movablyarranged thereabove, later to be described. The mechanism for drivingthe flight chains 6% and .69 willnow be described. A shaft 72 istransversely arranged "above said shaft 50 and parallel with said bucketcounting shaft '45. A drive sprocket 73 is secured near the end .ofshaft 45 adjacent the inner wall. 37 at the right 'side'of the conveyorunit 21. Asprocket 74 is xsecurednear the end of shaft 72 and in linewith said sprocket 73. A drive chain 75 is disposed around each of saidsprockets 73 and 74 for driving the shafts 72. An idler gear 76 ispivotally mounted upon a swinging arm which is secured to the side wall37 to provide means tightening .gear 81 is pivotally mounted adjacentsaid chain for removing the slack therein. Intermediate the-ends of saidshaft 77 is mounted a drive sprocket '82. Substantially vertically abovesaid shaft 77 is rotatably mounted a short shaft 83 in bearings suitablyspaced'and "secured to a wall'panclvertically arranged transversely ofthe :unit 21-and between the side walls 37 thereof,-.as ShOWn'iby Fig.5. shaft 83 is'secured a sprocket 84 substantially verticallyIntermediate the ends of"-saidishort above-said sprocket '82. Fordriving saidshaft 83, a chain 85 is provided extending around sprockets'82Eand 84. At the opposite ends of said shaft 83"a1' e:securcdsprockets86 and 87. Between the side panel 37 is -zsecured'taa-supporting bar 88, said-bar beingarrangedforwardly of said. shaft83 and in a plane substantially horizontal herewith. Two right anglesdrive units 89 and 90 are mounted upon said bar 88 as shown by Figure 1.Said drive units embody a housing of inverted L shape configuration, avertical portion of each having base portion securedto said bar 88. Theupper short horizontal portions of said housing extend towards thecenter of the unit 21. Each housing provided with suitable bearings forsupporting short shafts embodied therein, said shafts having endportions extending outwardly from the housings and projecting inwardlyof the machine. One sprocket is mounted upon each of said outwardlyextending shaft end portions and are designated 91 and 92 respectively,shown by Figure 3. Two short chains 93 and 94 are trained over saidsprockets 86, 87, 91 and 92 for driving short verticalshafts 95 and 96mounted in and extending downwardly from said drive units 89 and 90 andprojecting through an aperture in said bar 88.

A pair of horizontally arranged sprockets 97, 98 are arranged upon thelower end of said short vertical shafts 95 and 96 extending below saidbar 88. Forwardly of said bar 88 is arranged and secured between theside wall 37 a wide horizontal bar 111, said bar 111 spaced above all ofthe forward flight chains and embodied therewith for conveying thesandwiches. .Four gear drive housings 99, 100, 101, 102 of the invertedT shape configuration have their base portions mounted upon the upperside of said bar 111; each housing having a vertical shaft mounted insuitable bearings therein. The upper ends of the vertical shafts 103,104, 105 and 106 extend above the housings 99, 108, 101 and 102 andsupport gears 112, 113, 114 and 115 secured thereto, the lower ends ofsaid four vertical shafts extending downwardly through said bar 111 haveattached thereto flight sprockets 107, 108, 109 and 110, as shown byFigures 3 and 5. Flight chains 116 and 117 are trained about said flightsprocket 97, 98, 108 and 109 for conveying sandwiches as flat objects inthe angular upper flight troughs 121 and 122. Two sprocket drivehousings 123 and 125 -of inverted T shape configuration are mounted upona wide horizontal bar 125, said bar mounted near the forward end portionof said conveyor unit 21 and in the same horizontal plane which embodiessaid bar 111. Vertical shafts 126, 127 are rotatably secured in saidhousings 123 and 124, the lower ends thereof extending through said bar125 and supporting flight change sprockets 128 and 129 thereon. Said twoflight chains 68 and 69 are trained about said sprockets 107, 110, 128and 129 forconveying sandwiches as flat objects in the straight sandwichtroughs 64 and 65 described above. 1

Dual troughs 135 and 136 extend rearwardly in the unit 21 ascontinuations of troughs 64 and 65, and are provided with an upperflight deck providingtroughs 64' and 65. The dual troughs extend from a.point directly above counting shaft and rearwardly therefrom. The

upper troughs 64 and 65' angle outwardly towards the side walls 37 ofthe unit 21 to a point above said bar 88 and then parallel with saidside walls to the transfer unit 140 assembled at the end of the conveyorunit 21. The lower troughs 135 and 136 continue rearwardly paral- .lelto the side walls of the transfer unit 140. Therefore, said flightchains 68 and 69 will convey cooky sandwiches from the entrance ends oftroughs 64 and 65 to the bucket counting means with bucket chains and 61where a suitable number of cookies are elevated to the upper troughs 64'and after which the same number .of sandwiches are allowed to travel introughs and 136. A pair of flight chains such as indicated at 116(Figure 18) will convey the sandwiches in the angular position of theupper troughs 64 and 65' where they meet the continued straight portions647 and 65' thereof.

p The driving means for conveying thesandwiches from the angularportions of troughs 64' and 65 to the sandwich stackers 141 and 142 onshaft 172 at the end there;-

scribed above. Two flight chain sprockets 145 and 146 are secured uponsaid shaft 77 in line with troughs 64" and 65". Forwardly of said shafts79 are arranged two shafts 147 and 148 extending transversely of the conveyor unit 21 and mounted in suitable bearings in the side walls 37;shaft 147 arranged substantially below the exit end portion of troughs64 and 65 while shaft 148 is arranged substantially midway between saidshafts 45 and said shaft 147. Two flight chain sprockets 149 and 150 aremounted upon said shaft 147 and in alignment with said sprockets 145 and146 on shaft 77. Flight chains 151 and 152 are trained over saidsprockets 145, 146, 149 and 150 for driving said shaft 147. Said flightchains 152 and 153 are provided with outwardly extending flight pins 153which project upwardly through the troughs 64" and 65" to convey thesandwiches to the outer stackers 141 and 142. To drive the shaft 148 asprocket 155 is rigidly mounted upon shaft 147 intermediate sprockets150 and the left end thereof, as shown by Fig. 3. A sprocket 156 isrigidly mounted upon shaft 148 and in longitudinal alignment withsprocket 155. A chain 197 is trained over said sprockets 155 and 156driving said shaft 148. For conveying the sandwiches to stackers 143 and144 two flight chain sprockets 158 and 159 are rigidly mounted upon saidshaft 148 below the lower flight troughs 135 and 136. A short flightchain sprocket shaft parallel with shaft 148 is suitably mounted inbearings mounted upon a vertical wallin the transfer unit 140, as shownby Figs. 6 and 7. Two flight chain sprockets 163 and 164 are rigidlymounted upon the ends of said shaft 170 in longitudinal alignment withsaid sprockets 158 and 159 mounted on shaft 148. Two flight chainsprockets 167 and 168 are freely rotatively mounted upon shafts 77 andare aligned with sprockets 158, 159, 163, and 164. Two flight chains 165and 166 with flight pins 160 thereon are trained over said sprockets153, 159, 163, 164, 167 and 168 whereby said pins 160 project upwardlythrough the troughs 135 and 136 will convey the sandwiches in saidtroughs to stackers 143 and 144 adjacent the end thereof.

The sandwiches have been conveyed as flat objects by four differentseries of troughs, and delivered to stackers 141, 142, 143 and 144 forvertical alignment, therefore means for operating the stackers and thestacking transfer paddles of the transfer unit 140 clearly shown byFigs. 6 and 7 will now be described.

The transfer unit 140 is assembled adjacent the end portion of the mainconveyor unit 21 and is composed of four stack accumulating units 174,175, 176 and 177 arranged at right angles to the upper and lowerconveyor troughs thereof. Each accumulating unit has a stack dividingunit assembled adjacent thereto, referred to by numerals 178, 179, 180and 181. The transfer unit 140 embodies vertical walls 182 and 183forming a continuation of said side walls 37. Three vertical walls 184,185, and 186, are transversely assembled upon suitable frame workbetween said walls 182 and 183 for supporting suitable shafts andmechanism for the stacking and the dividing of the stacks of sandwiches.The shaft 172 supporting stackers 141 and 142, and the shaft 188supporting stackers 143 and 144 are rotated by suitable chainsassociated with the sprocket 190 rigidly mounted upon shaft 72, as shownby Figures 4 and 7. A sprocket 191 is rigidly secured upon shaft 172intermediate said stackers 141 and 142, and a sprocket 192 is rigidlysecured upon shaft 188 intermediate the stackers 143 and 144. A chain198 is provided .to. travel over and around sprockets 190 onshaft 72,sprocket 191 on shaft .172 and sprocket192 on shaft 188 and backtosprocket 190 spears;

for driving shafts 172 and 188. A suitable chain tightening sprocket 173is pivotally mounted between said sprockets 190 and 191, as shown byFigure 7. The stackers transfer the flat sandwiches from the troughs tohorizontal accumulating surfaces 189 where they are arranged verticallythereon as shown by Figure 8. Each of the stackers consist of two ormore disks 193, slightly spaced apart upon a shaft 172, said shaftsupported in a plane at right angles to the plane of travel of thesandwiches on the flight chains. A pair of said disks 193 revolve in avertical plane in longitudinal alignment with each of the sandwichtroughs. Each pair of disks 193 are provided with slots 194 havingparallel side walls 195, a closed end 196 and an open entrance portionat the peripheral edge of the disk, said slots are suitably arranged toreceive a horizontally arranged sandwich at one side from a trough andthereafter, by turning the sandwich and disk 180, the sandwich will bepositioned upon the stack accumulating surface 189 in a verticalposition ready for stacking. A flight chain 214 with angle members 215projecting therefrom is associated with each stacker and said members215 travel ahead of the leading sandwich of each stack.

It is necessary to carrythe standwiches away at a fixed speed and isalso necessary to provide means to prevent the sandwiches from againdropping rearwardly to EhOIiZOIlffll position once they are arranged forstacking ingroups. An oscillating, or rocking, arm with stackstraightening bridges is provided as will now be described. A shaft 200is transversely arranged in the lower rear end portion of the mainconveyor unit 21, the left end of said shaft extending outside the wall3 7 as shown by Figure 5. Shaft 200 receives its power from shaft 78 bygears and chains later to be described. A change gear 201 is'mountablysecured to the end of said shaft 200. A stub shaft 202 is arrangedparallel with and directly above said shaft 200 and with a spur gear 203on the outer end thereof. An idler gear 204 is arranged between saidgears 201 and 203 for rotating said shaft 282, in the same direction asshaft 280. A sprocket 205 is secured to said shaft 202. A shaft 206 forsupporting accumulating chain sprockets 287' and 288 adjacent saidstackers 143 and 144 is supported in suitable bearings mounted betweenthe walls 182 and 183 of the accumulating unit as shown by Figures 6 and7. A similar shaft 209 is mounted and secured between the walls andparallel with said shaft 206, said shaft having accumulating chainsprockets 210 and 211 mounted thereon. An endless accumulating chain 214with outwardly projecting angle portions 215 secured thereto is trainedaround said sprockets 207 and 210. An endless accumulating chain 216similar to chain 214 is trained around sprockets 208 and 211. A chainsprocket 217 is secured to the end of said shaft 206 whereby chain 220is arranged to extend from sprocket 205 and cause said shaft 206 torotate, thereby driving accumulating chains 214 and 216. Two shafts 218and 219 are arranged in' suitable bearings at the rear end adjacent saidstackers. 141 and 142. Accumulating sprockets 224 are arranged upon saidshafts 218 and 219 over which accumulating chains 222 are trained. Shaft219 has a chain sprocket 223 mounted on the end thereof and aligned withsprockets 205 and 217 whereby saidchain 220 will drive it and therebydrive both of said shafts 219 and 206. A pair of sprockets 224 are alsomounted on said shafts 218 and 219 at the rear of said stacker 141, saidsprockets having accumulating chain 221 traveling over and around saidsprockets to assist in stacking sandwiches as is done by theaccumulating chain 222. Therefore the stacking of sandwiches in avertical manner can be done in a desirable manner and at a speedarranged by suitable gears such as gears 201, 203 and, 204 arranged andtrained together.

The stacking of sandwiches on the accumulating chains 214, 216, 221 and222 and retaining same at the far end of the stack by the lug orprojection 215 thereof cycle.

8 also requires the embodiment and use of a stack straight;- eningbridge 225 located above and at the rear of each stacker. Directly aboveeach stacker is suitably mounted a bridge member 225, said bridgemembers above the stackers 141, 142 being mounted upon the end ofrotatable shafts 226 extending transversely of the machine and above thelower inner troughs, said shaft 226 being supported by hearings insuitable bearing support upon the vertical wall 184. The bridge membersabove the stackers 143 and 144 associate and in alignment with the lowertroughs and 136 are mounted upon the ends of a short shaft 227 supportedby bearings and bearing brackets mounted upon the vertical wall 185. Thebridge members 225 consist of shaft clamping means 225' with a-fork-likemember 228 depending downwardly therefrom. As a sandwich? is depositedby a stacker upon the support 189, the forward sandwich engages the lug'215 upon the accumulating chain. After a suitable number ofsandwichesare deposited by the stacker, the forklike member 228 is moved intocontact with the back side of the last sandwich in the stack to keep itin a vertical position'and move the entire stack of sandwichesforwardly. The fork 228 cooperates with the accumulating chains to movethe stack therealong. To give the fork the necessary oscillatingmovement, the shafts 226 and 227 must be rotated in a clockwisedirection and then reversed and moved in a counterclockwise direction bysuitable means now to be described. The shaft 200 described above, asshown by' Figure 5, has assembled therewith a pair of cams 229 and 230.Two shafts 237 and 238, shown by Figure 4, are mounted insuitablebearings in the side wall 37, each shaft having an arm extendingoutwardly and under said cams 229 and 230. A sprocket 231' is rigidlymounted and secured near the end of said shaft 200 and a sprocket 232 isrigidly mounted upon a power driven shaft 233 elevated'and secured inbearings upon the side wall 37. Two idler gears 234 and 235 are suitablyarranged whereby a chain 236 can travel over and around sprockets 231,232, 234 and 235 for driving sprocket 231 on driving. shaft 200. Theintermediate section of each arm 239 and 240 is provided with arollersuitable to ride upon the peripheral face of the cam associatedtherewith. The outer end of said arm- 239 has a chain 241 attachedthereto. The outer end of said arm 240 has a chain 242 attachedtherewith. Said chain 241 extends upwardly and over a sprocket mountedintermediate the forks 228 upon said shaft 226 adjacent stackers 141 and142, said chain having its opposite end attached to a coil spring 243which has its opposite ends secured to a rigid support. Said shaft 200,with cams 229 and 230 thereon, makes one revolution during each cycle ofthe machine. The fork like members 228 will be moved forward and backonce for each A cycle in time is equal to double the time it takes toplace a group of sandwiches, such as 16, upon or in a trough, since agroup of sandwiches must be arranged in the upper trough as well as inthe lower trough during one cycle. Chain 242 extends upwardly and over asprocket mounted intermediate the forks 228 mounted upon the ends of theshort shaft 227 above the adjacent stackers 143 and 144 associated withthe lower central troughs, said chain having its opposite end attachedto a coil spring 244 which has its opposite end secured to a rigidsupport.

The removal of stacks of sandwiches must be in timed relation withrespect to all moving parts of the machine. Above it was described howpower was delivered to shaft 200. The drive shaft for the stack transferpaddles must be in timed relation with other devices driven by saidshaft 200, therefore the paddles are driven by means connected withshaft 233, which is driven indirectly by shaft 78. A drive gear 250 ismounted upon shaft 78 which drives an idler gear 251 secured in abearing mounted in one end of a pivoted arm which has its opposite endmounted with means pivoted on said shaft 78.

